I don't know if they can go all the way, but they are good enough to make the top eight for the first time in years.

The Melbourne Rebels are still chasing their first spot in the playoffs. They've gained Quade Cooper, Campbell Magnay, Luke Jones and Isi Naisarani - and Matt Toomua will join them later in the season.

Coach Dave Wessels has signed a contract extension, so obviously believes in his squad.

It's one thing to have a great team on paper, but they still have to gel on the paddock.

That wasn't always the case last year.

Quade Cooper and Will Genia have a long history together. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The men from Melbourne are ready to take it to another level this year.

The Brumbies finished strongly last year, winning four of their final five games, but their slow start to the season cost them dearly.

They won just three of their opening 12 games.

Dan McKellar is now a second-year coach and Christian Leali'ifano has the captaincy to himself.

There is no shortage of quality forwards. David Pocock, Sam Carter and former Reds skipper James Slipper will be joined by Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Faingaa, Rory Arnold, Rob Valetini, Tom Cusack, Pete Samu and Lachie McCaffrey. That's a formidable pack on paper.

David Pocock is key to the Brumbies' fortunes. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

The backline features Wallabies Joe Powell, Leali'ifano, Tevita Kuridrani, Henry Speight and Tom Banks, as well as former Chiefs' winger Tony Pulu.

If the Brumbies are faster out of the blocks this year, they could be part of the business end of the tournament.

That leaves the NSW Waratahs, our only team to make last year's semi-finals.

Head coach Daryl Gibson's side scored their most points in a season last year and made their first appearance in the playoffs since 2015.

The Tahs have added Adam Ashley-Cooper and Karmichael Hunt to the roster, and another interesting addition is "man mountain" Le Roux Roets, has has been plucked out of South Africa's Currie Cup.